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Actively exploited

CVE-2016-10174 NETGEAR WNR2000v5 Router Buffer Overflow Vulnerability

The NETGEAR WNR2000v5 router contains a buffer overflow which can be exploited to achieve remote code execution.

From the CISA KEV catalogue version 2026.11.06, with Cybergen analysis. Updated 6 Nov 2026.

Our Assessment

Should You Worry?

Patch nowCybergen assessment
  • CISA confirmed exploitation in the wild and added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue on 25 Mar 2022.
  • Rated Critical severity (CVSS 9.8, scored by CISA).
  • This product type is often exposed to the internet, which is where attackers scan for it first.
  • It has been in the catalogue for 1,687 days. Systems still unpatched now have almost certainly been scanned for it.
The Vulnerability

What It Is

The NETGEAR WNR2000v5 router contains a buffer overflow in the hidden_lang_avi parameter when invoking the URL /apply.cgi?/lang_check.html. This buffer overflow can be exploited by an unauthenticated attacker to achieve remote code execution.

From Watch to Action

What To Do Now

  1. 1

    Find it

    Search your asset inventory and external attack surface for NETGEAR WNR2000v5 Router. Include cloud images, appliances and anything a supplier runs for you.

    Attack Surface Management
  2. 2

    Fix it

    Apply updates per vendor instructions.

    Vulnerability Management
  3. 3

    Hunt for compromise

    If an affected system was reachable before you patched, assume it may have been hit. Check logs, new accounts, web shells and outbound connections from the date of exposure.

    Incident Response
  4. 4

    Prove it is fixed

    Rescan or test the system after patching. Upgrades that fail silently and forgotten secondary instances are common.

    Penetration Testing

Vendor Advisories

Regulation

The Compliance Clock

Cyber EssentialsRated critical, so if it affects devices in your Cyber Essentials scope, the update must be installed within 14 days of the vendor releasing it.NIS2If exploitation causes a significant incident, essential and important entities owe their CSIRT an early warning within 24 hours and a notification within 72 hours.DORAFinancial entities must classify ICT incidents and send an initial notification for a major incident within strict deadlines, with exploited flaws a common cause.US federal (BOD 22-01)Federal civilian agencies had until 15 Apr 2022 to remediate. A sensible benchmark for everyone else.

General guidance, not legal advice. Your obligations depend on your sector, scope and jurisdiction.

Stay Ahead

More Exploited NETGEAR Flaws

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CVE-2017-5521NETGEAR Multiple Devices Exposure of Sensitive Information VulnerabilityAdded 8 Sep 2022CVE-2017-6862NETGEAR Multiple Devices Buffer Overflow VulnerabilityAdded 8 Jun 2022CVE-2017-6334NETGEAR DGN2200 Devices OS Command Injection VulnerabilityAdded 25 Mar 2022CVE-2016-1555NETGEAR Multiple WAP Devices Command Injection VulnerabilityAdded 25 Mar 2022CVE-2017-6077NETGEAR DGN2200 Remote Code Execution VulnerabilityAdded 7 Mar 2022CVE-2016-6277NETGEAR Multiple Routers Remote Code Execution VulnerabilityAdded 7 Mar 2022

All 8 exploited NETGEAR vulnerabilities

Not Sure If You Are Exposed?

Our attack surface and vulnerability teams can check your internet-facing estate for CVE-2016-10174 and every other exploited flaw on the list.

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Evidence

Sources

  1. CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue
  2. NVD: CVE-2016-10174
  3. CVE record: CVE-2016-10174
  4. FIRST EPSS
  5. seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2016/Dec/72
  6. raw.githubusercontent.com/pedrib/PoC/master/advisories/netgear-wnr2000.txt
  7. securityfocus.com/bid/95867
  8. exploit-db.com/exploits/41719/
  9. kb.netgear.com/000036549/Insecure-Remote-Access-and-Command-Execution-Security-Vulnerability
  10. exploit-db.com/exploits/40949/